Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Clinical Outcomes of Chronic Hepatitis B Across 3 Continents: Retrospective Database Study
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is high in many countries; however, robust, real-world epidemiological data are lacking. This study describes the prevalence, characteristics, treatment patterns, and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with chronic HBV infection in the US, Germany, and Taiwan. Methods This was a retrospective cohort analysis of three healthcare/insurance claims databases. Individuals were identified as patients with chronic HBV infection if their records contained HBV diagnostic codes from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012 (Germany and Taiwan) or 1 January 2013 (USA). Included patients were indexed on 1 January 2013. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and healthcare utilisation were described. Treatment patterns and long-term clinical outcomes over follow-up (to 31 December 2016 or loss to follow-up) were estimated. Results The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 0.10%, 0.17%, and 2.39% in the US, Germany, and Taiwan respectively. Prevalence was very low in children, increased rapidly in adulthood, and peaked in 50– < 65 year olds before declining in the elderly. More US (16.6%) and German (15.4%) patients were HIV ± HCV coinfected than in Taiwan (4.1%). Baseline clinical characteristics and healthcare utilisation were broadly similar between countries. In total, 19.2%, 11.1%, and 5.9% of non-coinfected adult patients received treatment at index in the US, Germany, and Taiwan, respectively; most…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.
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